Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum'

RHS Plant Profile

bronze fennel

Other common names

purple leaf fennel

Synonyms

Foeniculum vulgare 'Rubrum'
Foeniculum vulgare 'Bronze'

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
43 Suppliers

An upright, clump-forming perennial to 1.8m tall, with finely divided aromatic foliage, bronze-purple when young then turning to dark grey-green. Small, flat, yellow flowerheads on tall stems appear in summer followed by brown fruits. Foliage and fruits are aniseed scented

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage Fruit

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Clump forming
Genus: Foeniculum is a large biennial or perennial with aromatic, finely dissected leaves and umbels of small yellow flowers, followed by aromatic fruits
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See fennel cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back dead stems in autumn or winter. Remove faded flowers to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews